Ngāti Rānana wow royals with pōwhiri

Te Karere

London-based kapa haka Ngāti Rānana provided a distinct Māori cultural element to the Commonwealth Day celebrations held in the UK. The British royal family were treated to a pōwhiri by the haka group at Westminster Abbey in London on Monday night (local time).

Kaihaka Otene Hopa recounted that providing the pōwhiri was a special occasion to showcase the Māori language and culture to the British royals on their home turf.

Commonwealth Day is an annual celebration commemorating the alliance between the 53 nations of the Commonwealth. The pōwhiri was the first time where Māori were centre stage in front of an international audience in Westminster Abbey.